ISLAMABAD: The Joint Session of the Parliament began in Islamabad Tuesday with Chairman Senate Syed Nayyar Hussain Bokhari in the chair.
Senator Mian Raza Rabbani presented before the Session the report of the Parliamentary Committee on National Security (PCNS) for new terms of engagements with the United States and Nato.
The panel recommended that "Pakistan should seek an unconditional apology from the US for the unprovoked incident" and said "taxes and other charges must be levied on all goods importing in or transiting through Pakistan".
The committee also called for cessation of drone attacks inside the territorial borders of Pakistan and reiterated the country's commitment to the elimination of terrorism and combating extremism.
The parliamentarians will hold threadbare discussion on the recommendations to make the foreign policy more vibrant and in accordance with the aspirations of the people.
It merits mentioning here that following the attack on the Salala check post, the government suspended supplies for Nato forces in Afghanistan and entrusted the responsibility to the PCNS to formulate new contours of engagements with the US and Nato.
The committee has prepared a series recommendations to ensure the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country.
Enumerating the salient features of the report on national security, Raza Rabbani said that the committee in its recommendations has asserted that the country's sovereignty shall not be compromised at any cost and the relationship with the US should be based on mutual respect for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of each others.
It said that no overt or covert operations inside Pakistan shall be tolerated.
The recommendations asks the government to ensure that the principles of an independent foreign policy must be ground in strict adherence to the principles of policy as stated in Article 40 of the constitution, the UN Charter and observance of international law.
The report says that the US must review its footprints in Pakistan and stop drone strikes inside the territorial borders of Pakistan. It calls for no hot pursuit or boots on Pakistani territory and the activity of foreign private security contractors must be transparent and subject to Pakistani law.
It needs to be realized that drone attacks are counter productive, cause loss of valuable lives and property, radicalize the local population and create support for terrorists and fuel anti American sentiments.
Raza Rabbani said the report emphasizes that Pakistan's nuclear program and assets including its safety and security cannot be compromised. The US-Indo civil nuclear agreement has significantly altered the strategic balance in the region, therefore, Pakistan should seek from the US and others a similar treatment.
It said that the strategic position of Pakistan regarding India on the subject of FMCT must not be compromised and this principle be kept in view in negotiations on this matter.
The report reaffirms Pakistan's commitment to the elimination of terrorism and combating extremism in pursuance of its national interest.
Condemning the Salala check post attack by Nato that resulted in the martyrdom of 24 Pakistani soldiers, the report termed the incident a breach of international law and constitutes a blatant violation of Pakistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The government, the report, said should seek an unconditional apology from the US for the unprovoked incident.
The report says that those held responsible for the Mohmand Agency attack should be brought to justice and Pakistan should be given assurances to that such attacks or any acts impinging on Pakistan's sovereignty will not recur and that Nato and US will take effective measures any such violations.
Any use of Pakistani basis or airspace by foreign forces would require parliamentary approval.
The report calls upon the Ministry of Defence and Nato/US to draft new flying routes for areas contiguous to the border.
The report of the parliamentary committee proposes that any consideration regarding the reopening of Nato supplies must be contingent upon a thorough revision of the terms and conditions of the arrangement including regulation and control of movement of goods and personnel which shall be subject strict monitoring within Pakistan on entry, transit and exit points.
The recommendations emphasizes upon the government, its ministries, autonomous bodies and other organizations not to enter into verbal agreement with any foreign government or authority.
If any such agreement exits it should be reduced to writing immediately, failing which it shall cease to have effect within three months of the approval of these recommendations.
The report said that the international community should recognize Pakistan's colossal human and economic losses and continued suffering due to the war on terror.
Greater market access of Pakistan's exports to the US/Nato countries and global markets should be activity pursued. In the battle for the hearts and minds an inclusive process based on primacy of dialogue and reconciliation should be adopted. Such process must respect local customs, traditions, values and religious beliefs.
It said a new fast track process of billings and payments under the coalition support fund and other leviable charges should be adopted.
The report noted that Pakistan territory has been used by Nato and US for logistic purposes and in this context Pakistan should revisit the MoU signed with the UK and Northern Island for the International Security Assistance Force 1/8ISAF 3/8.
It said that acquisition and cross-servicing Agreement between the Department of Defence of the United States of America and the Ministry of Defence of Pakistan may only be renewed on new terms and conditions that should include respect of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Pakistan and ensures the national interests.
With regards to negotiating agreements dealing with matters to the national security, the report said that all agreements including military cooperation and logistics, will be circulated to the Foreign Ministry and all concerned Ministries, attached or affiliated Organizations and Departments for their views.
It said that all agreements will be vetted by the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs and circulated to the Parliamentary Committee on National Security.
The committee shall vet and make recommendations in consultation with the stakeholders and forward the same to the Federal Cabinet for approval under the Rules of Business of the Federal Government. The Minister concerned will make a policy statement on the agreement in both Houses of Parliament.
The report said there should be prior permission and transparency on the number and presence of foreign intelligence operatives in Pakistan.
It said fifty percent of US and Nato containers may be handled through Pakistan Railways. Taxes and other charges must be levied on all goods imported in or transiting through Pakistan, for use of infrastructure and to compensate for its deterioration.
Such charges shall be inter alia used mainly to maintain and support infrastructure of Karachi-Torkham and Karachi-Chaman Roads.
It noted that there is no military solution to the Afghan conflict and efforts must be undertaken to promote a genuine national reconciliation in an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned process.
To strengthen security along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, including the cross border flow of criminal elements, narcotics and weapons, the feasibility of additional measures including electronic surveillance may be evaluated and the process of local joint jirgas should be encouraged according to local customs and traditions.
It said Pakistan's support for the promotion of peace and stability in Afghanistan should remain the cornerstone of its foreign policy.
Senator Raza Rabbani said the recommendations suggest that Pakistani territory shall not be used for any kind of attacks on other countries and all foreign fighters if found, shall be expelled from the Pakistani soil. Pakistan also does not expect the soil of other countries to be used against it.
The report calls upon the government to review the present focus of the foreign policy keeping in view the aspirations of the people and emphasize on links with our traditional allies and build new relationships for diversifying the sources of economic, military and political support.
The foreign policy should continue to focus on creating a peaceful environment in the region to pursue the goals of economic development and social progress.
It said the dialogue process with India should be continued in a purposeful and result oriented manner on the basis of mutual respect and mutual interest including efforts for the resolution of Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the UN resolution.
Special efforts must continue to be paid to developing close cooperative relations with neighbors. The strategic partnership with China be deepened and relations with Russia should be strengthened.
It called for enhancing relationships with the Muslim world. Pakistan's full membership of Shanghai Cooperation Organization be actively pursued. Pakistan's relations in the region and the ASEAN must be upgraded and strengthened.
Concluding the report recommendations, Raza Rabbani said Pakistan should actively pursue the gas pipeline project with Iran to meet its growing energy requirements.
Senator Raza Rabbani said that it is the first time in the country's history that the Parliament has been entrusted the responsibility to frame foreign policy guidelines which was earlier restricted to the establishment. He expressed the confidence that this process will strengthen democratic process and assert supremacy of the Parliament.
He said the recommendations have been framed keeping in view the trichotomy of power.
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